Ideas for CM (www.ideasforcm.in) is a web based application through which citizens can participate in policy making by posting their ideas for good governance and development from any part of the world.

The Government of Madhya Pradesh, in partnership with the School of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, has designed an interactive web portal to bridge the existing gap between citizens and governance agencies by setting a platform for sharing ideas of good governance across departments and agencies of the government.The Ideas for CM project has been functional since 2009.

Most important achievement of the project lies in its effort to encourage citizens’ participation in public affairs and in the decision making process which did not exist previously. On an average, three to five ideas are posted on the website daily, indicating a sustained interest of citizens in the portal. Proficient use of cost effective technology is a major contributor to the success and sustainability of the initiative.

Most striking challenge of the project lies in its web based application, which makes it available to only a small fraction of the state’s population as the state has a stark rate of digital divide and illiteracy. Statistical analysis of the user profile also indicates a rural-urban divide in its usage. Lack of measures to popularise the project among different sections of the society may be a major reason for its uneven outreach among the population.

As of May 2012, 5562 ideas have been submitted by citizens on the web portal. Out of these, 12 have already been selected for implementation.